Whether using skis or a snowboard, around 1 in 20 Australians (4.8%) regularly or occasionally hit the slopes, the latest tourism data from Roy Morgan Research shows.

46% of skiers/snowboarders say they would like to visit at least one of Australia’s snow areas within the next two years. The Thredbo/Perisher/Smiggins slopes are the most popular destination, cited by 27% of skiers/snowboarders. 7% cite another Snowy Mountains area such as Selwyn or Jindabyne, making the NSW Snowfield/High Country area a prospective holiday spot for 30% of all skiers/snowboarders during the next two years.

In Victoria, there are more snow-capped peaks to choose from, but fewer skiers or snowboarders living nearby. 19% of skiers/snowboarders nationally cite a Victorian Snowfield/High Country destination. Falls Creek (9%) and Mt Hotham (9%) are the most commonly cited Victorian ski fields, ahead of Mt Buller (6%) and the Mt Buffalo, Mt Baw Baw or Lake Mountain area (3%).

Proportion of regular or occasional skiers/snowboarders who say they would like to take a holiday at destination within the next two years:

Source:Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia), January 2014 – December 2014, n=544 Australians 14+ who say they regularly or occasionally go skiing or snowboarding

Proximity clearly plays a big role in determining where snow-seekers will travel: 53% of skiers/snowboarders in NSW/ACT and 47% of those in Victoria cite a home-state destination.

But skiers/snowboarders are also more likely than their fellow Aussies to cite a range of overseas destinations—especially those hosting snow. 31% have their sights set on Mainland Europe, including France (9%), Italy (8%), Germany (6%), Scandinavia (6%), Austria (3%) and Switzerland (3%). While these destinations might be on go-to lists for reasons other than (or as well as) their snowfields, skiers/snowboarders are almost 50% more likely than the average Australian to choose a country in Mainland Europe for a desired holiday.

Skiers/snowboarders also favour the continental USA (20%), New Zealand (19%), Japan (16%) and Canada (13%) at rates well above the norm.